California Secretary Of State Alex Padilla To Replace Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris In US Senate

California Governor Gavin Newsom selected Alex Padilla as Vice President-elect Kamala Harris' replacement in the US Senate on Tuesday. With this appointment, Padilla will become the first Latino to represent California in the United States' upper house.

Vice-president-elect Harris also welcomed Padilla's appointment, tweeting:

.@AlexPadilla4CA, I know you'll continue to be a champion for our great state in the Senate. Congratulations my dear friend. pic.twitter.com/sN6Lz5TfCo

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) December 22, 2020

Harris was elected to the US Senate in 2016. She was the first Indian-American as well as the second African-American woman to serve in the position. She has previously served as the state’s Attorney General (2011–17) as well.

Also Read: Who is Rohini Kosoglu? The Sri Lankan-American Domestic Policy Advisor To Kamala Harris

Announcing his appointment, Newsom noted that Padilla, who was born to Mexican immigrants, had to struggle to reach where he is, since he was born to a cook and house cleaner. Padilla “worked his way from humble beginnings to the halls of MIT, the Los Angeles City Council and the state Senate, and has become a national defender of voting rights,” Reuters reported.

BREAKING: Governor @GavinNewsom has picked Secretary @AlexPadilla4CA to become the first Latino U.S. Senator from California!

This is historic. We launched #PickPadilla back in August with one goal — and thanks to supporters from across California and the country, we did it! pic.twitter.com/Mfu2cD2YC9

— Latino Victory (@latinovictoryus) December 22, 2020

"I am humbled and honored to serve as California’s next United States Senator," Padilla said in a video message on Twitter on Monday evening. Further thanking Newsom for offering the job to him and for "entrusting" him with "the role of defending the dream for the people of California," the incoming senator added, "I will you proud and make California proud by getting it done in the U.S. Senate. We’ve got a lot of work to do and I’m ready.”

I am humbled and honored to serve as California’s next United States Senator. Thank you, @GavinNewsom, for entrusting me with the role of defending the dream for the people of California. https://t.co/bCwf05C3hm pic.twitter.com/Fn5iNl6ldS

— Alex Padilla (@AlexPadilla4CA) December 22, 2020

Padilla, who also became California's first Latino secretary of state in 2015 and in a statement, pledged to "work each and every day to honor that trust and deliver for all Californians."

"We will get through this pandemic together and rebuild our economy in a way that doesn't leave working families behind," added the 47-year-old. Prior to entering politics, Padilla worked as an engineer writing software for satellites. Newsom further described him as "a warrior for voting rights and the American Dream."

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Padilla's appointment came after Harris was elected vice president of the United States in November 2020. US President-elect Joe Biden is expected to be sworn into office as the 46th commander in chief of the United States on January 20, 2021. Apart from Harris, who will be the first woman to be sworn in as Vice President of the US, the Biden-Harris administration is welcoming several American citizens of Indian origin in key positions.

Feature Image Credit: Alex Padilla/Twitter

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